Pope Francis warns faithful against ‘god spray’

Pope Francis says Christians believe in God 'who is Father, who is Son, who is Holy Spirit', not a misty presence no one quite understands

The Christian faith teaches that God is a real, concrete person, not an intangible essence or esoteric mist like “god-spray”, Pope Francis has said.

In his homily on Thursday at an early morning Mass in the chapel of his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Pope Francis said many people say they believe in God, but do not have a clear idea of who He is.

God is a real person – a Father – and faith springs forth from a tangible experience of an encounter with him, the Pope told his listeners. The congregation was made up of members of the Inspectorate for Public Security at the Vatican – a special unit of the Italian police that provides security and law enforcement in St Peter’s Square, and guarantees and coordinates all armed escorts for the Pope when he leaves the Vatican.

“We believe in God who is Father, who is Son, who is Holy Spirit,” Pope Francis said.

“We believe in persons and when we talk to God we speak with persons” who are concrete and tangible, not some misty, diffused god-like “‘god spray” that’s a little bit everywhere but who knows what it is.”

This faith in the real presence of Jesus is a gift from God himself, the Pope said, and when he gives this gift of faith “we must continue on this path”, rejoicing.

“However, if we take this path, it is always with our own baggage – because we’re all sinners and we always have some things that aren’t right. But the Lord forgives us if we ask for forgiveness,” he said.

Referring to the day’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles when Philip preached the word to a travelling officer of the queen’s court, the Pope highlighted the experience of the worldly officer who hears the Good News, is baptised and “continued on his way rejoicing”.

The Pope said it is important people never get discouraged, but keep pressing on like the officer so the same encounter “will happen to us”.

The officer’s joy is “the joy of faith, the joy of having met Jesus, the joy that only Jesus can give us, the joy that gives peace, not what the world gives, but what Jesus gives”, he said.

“Let us ask the Lord that we may grow in this faith, this faith that makes us strong, makes us joyful, this faith that always begins with an encounter with Jesus and always continues throughout life with small daily encounters with Jesus,” he said.

Fr Tim Finigan, parish priest in Blackfen, Kent, took up the idea of “god spray” on his blog, saying it sums up “the vague religiosity of many people who are happy enough to use the Church when they need it but stay within the bounds of saying ‘I think it’s nice to have a faith'”.

“I confess that I have already used this quotation in my pastoral ministry and I intend to use it again. It sums up in a gentle way an attitude that we have to challenge,” Fr Finigan said.

You do not need baptism by water in order to be saved. Jesus said He is “the way, the truth and the life.” Worshipping Mary, Allah or engraved statues will only get you to Hell-Lake of Fire and this is the absolute Truth. Romans 10:9 says you need only to call on the name of Jesus Christ and you will be saved. One does NOT need the pope, a bishop, or some cardinal to confess your sins to, just simply pray to Jesus-and you will be saved.

Dr Falk

Dear believer,

Thank you for posting. Romans 10:9 points to the need of faith. How are we to receive this faith? Romans 10:14 – 15 tells us – ‘ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?’ This illustrates the need of the preachers who are sent by the Church to preach the Gospel message. We need the Church as it preaches this message. In the New Testament the Church is ‘the pillar and foundation of the truth’ (1 Timothy 3:15). This is the Lord’s body found by Him. This isn’t an added luxury but the way the Lord speaks and works in us. In Ephesians 5 you will find the beautiful way the Lord works in His Church compared to a husband and wife relationship. While it’s great that you do believe in Jesus and call on His Name be open to all the treasures He offers. This includes the Church which brings the Christian message and which is truly his Mystical Body – in the marvelous words of Ephesians 1 – ‘ the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way’. Be Open – be open, my friend, to all the treasures of Jesus Christ including the gift of His Church.

jeopad

Is spirituality the vague message of rituals or verbatim repetition of the Nicene Creed?
jeopad

Martin Grimes

Having read most of this thread I have to smile. David, you’re a funny guy and you are not very good at defending your argument. You have to put some time into the study of the concept of the trinity. FYI the word persona was invented by an early Christian theologian to help in understanding the Christian scriptures at that time specifically in understanding the words and deeds of The Christ. The same coined the term trinitus. Correct me if I am wrong but I think his name was Tertullian?
Not the same as your cat’s personalities or mine, who goes by the name Mr. Pickles and likes to ambush my feet when I walk by him. He has a great personality but he cannot forgive sin, talk to storms to calm them down, heal thousands of sick, or give them back life after they died, predict the future or get up after three days being dead. Only God can do that!